Spring assembly



J. GOLDSTEIN SPRING ASSEMBLY Dec.25, 1951 2 SHEETS--S-EET l Filed April14, 1945 m@ Num Jaco@ sf/N.

INVENTOR. mi 7M Dec 25, 1951 J. GOLDSTEIN 2,579,818

SPRING ASSEMBLY Filed April 14, 1945 2 SHEETSSHEET g J/Ica 60.4 D .srfv/V.

INVENTOR. BY Y'f,

Patented Dec. 25, 1951 UNITED sTATizs cargar orrica SPRING ASSEMBLYJacob Goldstein, Mishawaka, Ind.

Application April 14, 1945, Serial No. 588,403

This invention relates to improvements in spring assemblies or springunits for use in furniture, box springs, mattresses and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a, construction ofthis character wherein certain intermediate frame units of the frame arehinged at one end thereof to a perpendicularly cir-tending intermediateframe element near a margin of the device to accommodate depression ofsprings at said margin or margins without producing a bulging action ofthe remainder of the assembly.

A further object is to provide a spring assembly with a spring mountingframe including a marginal frame and intersecting frame elements carriedby and spanning said marginal frame, certain of said elementsterminating short of said marginal frame at one side thereof, wherebythe tendency for compression of springs outwardly thereof to distort theremainder of the assembly will be minimized.

A further object is to provide a spring assembly, including a frame andspring elements, which is provided with a wood strip extending along atleast one end to form a foundation for a roll edge and a retainer for aseat cushion when used in furniture.

A further object is to provide a spring unit of this character which isflat and remains iiat despite edge compression, so that when it is usedin furniture, a cushion will lie flat thereon.

Other objects willV be apparent from the description, drawings andappended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig'. l is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view l (if `a chair usingmy improved spring unit. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of my spring unitillustrating the springs diagrammatically.

Fig'. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom perspective view of the springunit.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a Spring unit, takenon line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig.l 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 4 andillustrating the edge of the unit compressed.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary schematic view illustrating a Inodied embodimentof the invention.

n most spring assemblies certain undesirable conditions orcharacteristics occur in use. Among them is a tendency for the centralportion of the assembly to bow upwardly when pressure is applied at themargin or edge thereof. This condition may become permanent in time, andrenders the unit or article in which the assemblyis used unsightly orunattractive. Also,

8 Claims. (Cl. 5--269) in furniture of the type having separate seatcushions, such distortion and central bulging of the springs permit thecushions to shift and expose a gap between the cushion and thesupporting spring assembly which is highly objectionable. industry toprovide a roll edge to avoid this gap and produce a good fit of a seatcushion on the seat springs. Such roll edges are usually formed of rollsmade of paper, ber and other materials which are stitched to the coverof the spring assembly. The cost in labor and materials of roll edgesformed on such rolls is high, and the results depend on the skill andcare used in applying the rolls.

I propose to overcome the difficulties outlined above by providing aspring assembly with frame elements so constructed and arranged that theassembly lies at under all conditions of use, without sacrifice ofcushioning action or yielding properties. Also, I provide a hinge in theframe at one or more margins thereof and so arrange the parts as topermit the margin orthe edge portion of the assembly to be depressedwithout causing the central portion of the spring to bow upwardly.Additionally, I provide a wood strip secured to and reinforced by thepivoted marginal portion of the spring assembly and projecting upwardlytherefrom to provide a firm but flexible foundation for a, bead roll orroll edge.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I0 designates an upholsteredchair or davenport having a base I I including legs I2, a back I3, a.spring assembly I4 and a seat cushion I5. The spring assembly isenclosed, and the various parts are upholstered, for example, padded,covered and decoratively trimmed, as is conventional.

The spring assembly i4 is best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 andcomprises a plurality of con-` ventional double conical coil springs I6spaced apart uniformly and in alignment. A frame is fabricated from aplurality of fairly stiff wire members, and one end of each spring issecured to this frame. One wire is bent in rectangular shape withlongitudinal runs I'I and end runs i8. This member outlines the frameand the spring assembly. A plurality of longitudinal wires I9 withperpendicularly bent ends 2li span the frame in spaced relation andtheir ends 25! extend alongside end runs I3 of the marginal frameelement. At the front of the assembly and spaced from front longitudinalrun Il a distance equal to the diameter of the springs I6 is anotherlongitudinal wire 2l with short perpendicularly bent ends 22 lyingalongside the end runs i8 of the 'marginal It is common practice in thefurniture lie alongside each other.

Il of the marginal frame element. Wire coils 2B encircle each of thelongitudinal elements and the two end runs IB of the frame. These coilsserve to secure the various frame elements together by encircling allparts which engage or Also, the coils serve to secure the individualsprings I5 to the frame elements. This function of the coils 26 is bestillustrated in Fig. 3.

The unit or assembly provided in this manner serves to connect eachspring to the frame "at fz,

two or more circumferentially spaced portions of one end of each spring.Therefore, the connection serves to position the springs to space themproperly, and generally to provide a usable spring unit or assembly. Thewires which form the frame elements are stiff enough to normallymaintain the unit in flat form, but are sufliciently exible toaccommodate the desired cushioning or yielding action of the unit, aswill be Well understood.

The arrangement shown is illustrative only. Thus the transverse U-shapedspring elements 23, 24', 25 may terminate at the rearmost of theintermediate longitudinal frame elements i9 to which the inner portionsof the rear row of springs are attached as illustrated schematically inFig. 6. Such a construction would duplicate the front construction andwould serve the same purpose. Likewise as also illustrated schematicallyin Fig. 6, a transverse member lill could be provided for attachment tothe inner portion of each of the springs at each end of the frame andthe longitudinal intermediate frame members I9 and 2l could be securedthereto instead of to the end runs I3 of the marginal frame elements asillustrated in Fig. l. This would duplicate at all margins of theassembly the frame and spring arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 5 at thefront only of the unit and would impart thereto the same propertiespossessed by the front margin si of the construction illustrated inFigs. l to 5.

If the spring assembly is to be used as a support for a cushion inupholstered furniture, and also in other uses where a roll edge or thelike is desired, it can be provided very simply and inexpensively by theuse of a wood strip 27 secured along one or more edges of the assembly.As best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, a strip 21 of triangularcross-section is secured to springs I6 and to the frame run Il by meansof staples 28. The strip 2l lies flat upon the spring frame with itstapered edge extending inwardly. Thus it forms a rrn foundation uponwhich a roll edge 28 may be formed by the use of padding and coveringfabric as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

In use, the spring assembly or unit maintains its normal flat shapeunder all conditions, without detracting from its desired yielding andcushioning properties. One of the severest tests which a spring unitmust' stand is compression Y at one edge only. The instant constructionreacts to this testas shown in-Fig. 5. Specifically, the interconnectionof the runs 23 of the transverse frame elements with frame element 2| bymeans of coil 26 permits the element 2| to rotate as its end portions 22are deflected downwardly, incident to the bending of marginal frame runsI8 by the applied pressure. Thus the transverse frame members 2li arenot subjected to the bending action of the compressing force andtherefore remain fiat. The bending of the end frame runs la incident tothisV compression produces little effect upon the unit, and is notimportant inasmuch as the transverse frame members 24 serve to retardand minimize it. Also, the compressive force is seldomrapplied directlyat the end of the unit, and hence bending at IS is never very great.Likewise, upon release of such marginally applied compressive force, thereturn force of the springs is exerted, particularly through strip 21,to effect return of the unit, including end frame runs I8, to at orstraight form. Consequently, the unit, and the furniture or article inwhich it is used, retain their flat trim shape indefinitely and are notsubject to that deformation with use to which most spring filledarticles are subject ordinarily.

The use of strip 2 provides several distinct advantages. Principal amongthem are the part played in retaining the at trim shape of the springlled unit, and` the reduction in time and expense required to fabricatea roll edge. Also, it will be observed that the wood strip insures thatthe roll edge which is made thereon will be true and uniform, withoutrequiring special skill. When properly cushioned the strip d'oes notirnpart objectionable rigidity to the assembly. Also, there is no dangerthat the strip will be broken in normal use, since it is supportedeffectively by frame element il and the springs to which it is secured.

The combinationV of theV two factors of shape retention and firm rolledge foundation is particularly effective in upholstered furniture. Theseat cushions always fit snugly and are retained by the roll edge sothat there is no exposed gap or other condition which detracts from theappearance or comfort 0f the article.

I claim:

l. A spring unit comprising a plurality of substantially uniformlyspaced coil springs, a iiat frame assembly including a rectangularmarginal frame and a plurality of intermediate spaced longitudinal andtransverse frame elements, means connecting said intermediatelongitudinal and transverse frame elements to each other at adjacent andintersecting portions, and means connecting portions of saidintermediate longitudinal and transverse frame elements to said marginalframe, said connecting means cooperating to connect each spring atspaced points in a common plane tol at least two parts of said frameassembly, the intermediate transverse frame elements terminating shortof said marginal frame and spaced from the marginal springs Yat one sidof the frame assembly. Y Y

2. A spring unit comprising a plurality of substantially uniformlyspaced coil springs arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, a at frameassembly including a rectangular marginal frame and intermediate spacedlongitudinal and transverse frame elements, means connecting saidintermediate longitudinal and transverse frame elements to each other atadjacent and intersecting portions, and means connecting portions ofsaid intermediate longitudinal and transverse frame elements to saidmarginal frame,V said connecting means also connecting each s-pring atspaced points in a common plane to at leasttwo parts of said frameassembly, said intermediate transverse frame elements being pivotallyconnected at one end thereof to an intermediate longitudinal frameelement.

3. A spring unit comprising a plurality of coil springs arrangeduniformly in spaced rows, a

frame assembly formed from a rectangular marginal frame and spacedlongitudinal and transverse intermediate frame elements, meansconnecting said intermediate longitudinal and transverse frame elementsto each other at adjacent and intersecting portions, and meansconnecting portions of said intermediate longitudinal and transverseframe elements to said marginal frame, said connecting means alsoconnecting each spring to at least two parts of said frame assembly in acommon plane, at least one end of the intermediate frame elements whichextend in one direction terminating adjacent to the outermostintermediate frame element perpendicular thereto and spaced from atleast one side of said marginal frame and from the marginal springsconnected at said side of said marginal frame.

4. A spring unit comprising a frame assembly including a substantiallyrectangular marginal frame and spaced intermediate longitudinal andtransverse intersecting frame elements, a plurality of substantiallyuniformly spaced coil springs, means connecting said intermediatelongitudinal and transverse frame elements to each other, and meansconnecting portions of said intermediate longitudinal and transverseframe elements to said marginal frame, said connecting means alsoconnecting each spring to at least two parts of said frame assembly, theportions of the intermediate frame elements which extend in onedirection terminating in spaced relation to at least one side of saidmarginal frame and the marginal springs connected to said frame side.

5. A spring assembly comprising a substantially rectangular marginalWire frame, a group of substantially parallel longitudinal intermediatewire frame elements having perpendicularly bent end portions, a group ofsubstantially parallel transverse intermediate wire frame elementshaving perpendicularly bent end portions, the intermediate frameelements of one of said parallel groups being shorter than thecorresponding portions of said marginal frame and having oneperpendicularly bent end portion thereof positioned alongside one of theintermediate frame elements of the other group, a plurality of coilsprings arranged in substantially equi-spaced relation throughout theassembly, means for connecting said intermediate frame elements togetherat intersecting and adjacent portions thereof, and means for connectingportions of said intermediate frame elements to said marginal frame todene a frame assembly, said connecting means also connecting each coilspring to at least two parts of said frame assembly.

6. A spring assembly comprising a substantially rectangular marginalwire frame, a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinalintermediate wire frame elements having perpendicularly bent endportions, a plurality of substantially parallel transverse intermediatewire frame elements having perpendicularly bent end portions, theparallel intermediate frame elements of one group being shorter than thecorresponding portion of said marginal frame, a plurality ofsubstantially uniformly spaced coil springs arranged in a plurality ofrows, and Wire coils encircling selected frame elements to interconnectsaid frame elements to one another to dene a frame assembly and to saidmarginal frame and to connect each coil spring to at least two parts ofsaid frame assembly, the bent portion at one end of each shortintermediate frame element being secured to said marginal frame, and thebent portion at the other end of each short intermediate frame elementbeing secured to one of the intermediate frame members of the othergroup.

7. A spring unit comprising a rectangular marginal frame, intermediateintersecting frame elements, a plurality of substantiaily uniformlyspaced coil springs, and connecting means connecting said coil springsto said frame and frame elements and connecting said frame elements tosaid marginal frame and to intersecting elements, the portions of saidintermediate frame elements which extend in one direction terminatingshort of a selected side of said marginal frame and of the springsconnected thereto, the stress transmitted by said short intermediateframe elements incident to compression of the springs connected to saidselected side of said marginal frame being small compared to the stresstransmitted by intermediate frame members incident to compression of anyor" the other springs or" said spring unit.

8. A spring unit comprising a rectangular marginal frame, intermediateintersecting frame elements, a plurality of coil springs, meansconnecting said marginal frame, intermediate frame elements and coilsprings in a unit, said ntermediate frame elements terminating short ofsaid marginal frame and marginal springs at one side thereof, and a Woodstrip adapted to be flexed extending parallel to and secured to saidmarginal frame and the spring secured to said frame at said last namedside and spaced from said intermediate frame elements.

JACOB GOLDSTEIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 426,022 Jeffery Apr. 22, 1890902,011 Staples Oct. 27, 1908 1,395,421 Johnson Nov. l, 1921 1,633,544Hanauer June 21, 1927 1,695,444 TreW Dec. 18, 1928 1,948,130 Reed Feb.20, 1934 2,008,185 Pittoni July 16, 1935 2,052,040 Sklar Aug. 25, 19362,261,581 Gleason Nov. 4, 1941 2,265,426 Foster Dec. 9, 1941

